“I've always been a bit of a naturalist, observing, investigating and collecting interesting things. As far back as I can remember there’s always been a field guide of some kind in my pocket, which I use to decode the world around me.”
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Though she’s located in the city, Jess spends her time pondering nature, observing, investigating and collecting specimens that pique her interest. Tiny details catch her eye: a type of moss she’d never noticed before, the seed pod of a weed growing in a sidewalk crack, the molted shell of a 17 year cicada, hatchlings in a nest on a fire escape. These minute details spark big ideas, and when she’s hooked on one, she’ll research everything about the species before translating the minutiae into paint. What makes Jess’ illustrated taxonomies special, though, is her willingness to take artistic license, making each illustration her own.< less